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100 Years – 100 Objects: Jeremejevite

The Houston Museum of Natural Science was founded in 1909 - meaning that the curators of the Houston Museum of Natural Science have been collecting and preserving natural and cultural treasures for a hundred years now. For this yearlong series, our current curators have chosen one hundred exceptional objects from the Museum’s immense storehouse of specimens and artifacts—one for each year of our history. Check back here frequently to learn more about this diverse selection of behind-the-scenes curiosities—we will post the image and description of a new object every few days.

This description is from Joel, the Museum’s President and Curator of Gems and Minerals. He’s chosen spectacular objects from the Museum’s mineralogy collection, which includes some of the most rare and fascinating mineral specimens in the world, that we’ll be sharing here – andat 100.hmns.org- throughout the year.

Jeremejevite. Mile 72 near Swakopmund, Namibia

Blue jeremejevite is among the rarest of gem minerals and has been found at only two localities, both of them in Namibia. Crystals from the original Namibian find in 1973 remain the finest known examples of the species. This 5.5-cm specimen is the best of the matrix specimens recovered. The presence of multiple crystals makes it unusual.

About Joel

Not only is Joel the President of the Museum, he’s also a curator. He has the rare distinction of having held almost every job here – including security guard, back before his museum career took him to distinguished posts all across the country. At HMNS, he built our outstanding collection of gems and minerals and the world-renowned Wiess Energy Hall before being appointed President in July 2004. Since, he’s brought us Lucy, Leonardo and…check back here for his updates on the next big things coming up.